Date:         Fri, 6 Jan 2006 21:05:26 -0800
Reply-To:     Doug F <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doug F <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
Subject:      Re: Battery Recharging Question
Comments: To: robertmstewart <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Wow, a Bosch battery in a vehicle that may be 20 years old.
sounds like PO had a new one installed at the dealer?

First set your charger to 12 not 6 volts.
The amp gauge on the front of the charger should show a reading.
If the batt is totally flat it may take a bit for it to start putting much into it
as some chargers can sense a totally dead batt and will go easy till the batt comes up a bit.
it shoud max out at 5,10,15 amps depending on the charger during the charge phase
then trail off down to a trickle as the batt comes up to full. 
If you have a decent charger. 

A batt that is not a deep cycle will be hurt by a total flat out if you run it totally dead
say by leaving the lights on for days etc. 

it will not hold a charge as well even after you bring it back. 

2-3 total flats with a new batt will pretty much ruin it. 

Doug

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: robertmstewart 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 8:39 PM
  Subject: Battery Recharging Question


  The BOSCH battery in my van went dead, the van was not started for about a
  month, prior to that it was fine.

  I took the battery out of the Van and connected it to a 6V/12V charger and
  is set for 6V and on an auto timer for 2 hours.

  Now my question is how long does it need to charge to be fully charged?

  It has a amp gauge on the front of the charger, right now it is at zero as I
  just started it.  Itšs a relativešs and have never used one before.

  Suggestions?

  Thanks, 

  Bear with me, even though I had a van for a year I had a mechanic take care
  of everything, now I am trying learn for myself with this new van. Thanks in
  advance.


  -- 
  Rob
  NYC/Long Beach, NY
  88 Wolfsburg, Silver